Shooting sports in Canada rely on a strong network of coaches who work with athletes at every stage of the athlete development pathway. Across all disciplines, these coaches play a vital role in fostering skill development, performance improvement, and lifelong participation in the sport

SFC has a well-defined coach development model that allows coaches in Canada to become trained and certified to meet Canadian requirements.

Key to our Coach Development Model is our partnership with the Coaching Association of Canada and the National Coach Certification Program.

The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) trains and certifies coaches in more than 60 sports. The NCCP uses a competency-based approach where coaches are:

  • Trained in NCCP outcomes relevant to the participants they are coaching (from recreational to National level athletes)
  • Evaluated by demonstrating coaching outcomes through specified standards

NCCP provides many base learning modules for coaches to learn from. There are some modules required at various stages of your coaching growth and many others available as well for your professional development. We encourage you to sign up with NCCP and start taking some of the key modules at any time.  To create an NCCP Account with the Coaches Association of Canada simply go to The Locker and create a new account.

ISSF offers technical, sport specific, coaching education programs. SFC has integrated those programs into the coaching pathways outlined below. While the ISSF programs provide valuable technical and discipline-specific knowledge, they are intended to complement Canadian coaching education. To become a certified coach in Canada, individuals must also complete the required NCCP coaching certification requirements.

Shooting Coach Development Pathways

The pathways below show the progression individuals can take in the shooting sports to develop as a coach.

Note that the Evaluation phase to finalize your certified status involves working with a facilitator directly for an observation and feedback session.
Note that each pathway must be completed fully in the coach’s specified discipline before progressing to the next pathway.

Community Coach

Basics skills and introduction for community-based programs

This stage is an easily accessible entry level coaching option for individuals looking to have a broad introduction to the sport of shooting.

Instructor – Beginner (IB) Certification

Basics skills and technique for entry level or non-competitive target shooters

This stage of the progression is tailored for those new to coaching who are wishing to start coaching formally. It provides fundamental shooting knowledge for coaching. The focus is on planning, safety, the basic theory of learning, as well as preparing coaches to analyze shooting skills. Participants choose between pistol, rifle or shotgun disciplines.

Competition Development Coach

Train to Train & Train to Compete

Intended for coaches who want to enhance their coaching skills to possibly enter athletes in competition. This course is a good introduction to the competitive environment of the sport. Coaches will learn in-depth planning, supporting and improving athlete’s competition skills, and a detailed overview of the rules governing shooting’s competitive settings. The SFC module typically takes place over two weekends with homework assignments that will help to build the coaches portfolio.

**Note that SFC will only provide letters of support for candidates to attend ISSF B who have completed a SFC Com-Dev Module and at least 50% of Multisport modules. ISSF C is also required.

Competition Development Advanced Gradation Coach

Train to Compete & Train to Win

For experienced coaches working with provincial and national teams, the mix of multisport and shooting specific topics covered will provide well-rounded training for developing high-performance athletes. Participants will learn to manage a competitive sport program, effectively deal with sport psychology and ethical issues, as well as learn to analyse and evaluate skill and performance.

**Note coaches interested in pursuing these higher levels of coaching should be in contact with SFC for more details and support.

Competition – High Performance (HP) Certification

Train to Win

For very experienced coaches who are working with athletes on a path towards Olympic and world championship level competition this certification can provide more in-depth knowledge and resources for year-round planning and multi-faceted support.